Our panel of Boro experts have been having their say on the start to the season.

In today's Gazette, Philip Tallentire, Anthony Vickers, Eric Paylor and Jeff Winter discuss the players who have stood out since August.

Read their thoughts below before having your say in our poll at the bottom of the story.

Grant Leadbitter

"Grant Leadbitter has always been a Duracell midfielder, but he seems to have added goals this season and it’s all very well saying most of the are from the spot or free kicks, they all count.

"He has been a driving force from the engine room, it’s possibly the fact that he’s got Adam Clayton alongside him now which has given him a bit more of a luxury to be able to move forward with a mobility and experience behind him, but he has delivered."

(Anthony Vickers)

Grant Leadbitter lets fly (Image: Katie Lunn)

Kike

"Kike was an unknown quantity.

"He hasn’t scored a million goals yet - he’s got four which is perfectly respectable - but he’s got an incredible first touch.

"He drops deep and links up, can hold off several defenders then play an outward ball and he always seems to be able to get the ball through when he’s in the middle of a posse of defenders.

"He occupies a lot of people, creates space and I think when he gets properly up and running he will be a fantastic player."

(Anthony Vickers)

Kike in action for Boro

"The one position Karanka had to get right this season was centre forward.

"He had to have an effective man up front.

"I thought Danny Graham did a reasonable job last year but we’ve been short in that area for some time.

"I think Kike will be one of the top scorers in the Championship this year."

(Eric Paylor)

Adam Reach

"Adam Reach went away on loan a boy and came back a man.

"The position of winger is often one where we see players in and out of games - Carayol and Adomah have in the past been guilty of that, and Reach hasn’t really put in a fantastic 90 minutes.

"Perhaps his biggest game was at Liverpool on the big stage.

"He has shown he can take on players and beat them, he is improving on his final ball and he’s also prepared to come back and help the defence."

(Jeff Winter)

Adam Reach.

"Adam Reach has been has been a real surprise package this season.

"I wasn’t sure if he would do it week in, week out, in the Championship and I thought he would be the first player to miss out when the new signings came in, but he’s kept those players on the bench.

"That is testament to not only him but the manager, who’s not prepared to drop a player like a stone just because he’s brought in his own signings.

"I think we’ve seen that in the past where the home-grown players were the first to be sidelined when a big name player comes in from abroad or another club.

"His level has been consistent apart from one little drop-off during the Blackpool game, but apart from that he’s been a revelation this season.

"I hope he can continue it because he has something special about him."